Puntland Releases Troops Captured in Gaalkacyo

Gaalkacyo (Caasimada Online) – The troops and vehicles captured by Puntland in the city of Gaalkacyo have been released, after the Puntland administration stated that it conducted an investigation into the situation of the troops and the reason they arrived in the city.

Puntland stated that its investigation revealed that the troops and vehicles were lost and were heading to an area under Galmudug, where they were to receive training.

The Galmudug administration also thanked Puntland for releasing and transferring the troops and vehicles they were carrying.

The troops, numbering up to 130 soldiers, were accompanied by officers and training instructors. It was reported that these troops were heading to the Xananbuure area in the Galgaduud region, where they were to receive military training.

These troops were also reported to be recruited by the Federal Government of Somalia, but they originate from the areas under the Galmudug administration and are directly under its authority.

The capture of the troops and their vehicles occurred in the city of Gaalkacyo, which is jointly managed by the Puntland and Galmudug administrations, and the matter was later resolved through an investigation and verification of the affiliation of the troops.

However, once it was confirmed that the troops and vehicles belonged to Galmudug, Puntland took the step to release them, transferring the troops and vehicles to the Galmudug administration.

Previously, Puntland had taken over camps that government troops had in that administration, after its forces attacked bases where troops allegedly recruited by the government were stationed.